Urological Cancer Awareness Month

Urological problems are very common. Most of these problems, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), are not cancer. But sometimes symptoms of other urinary problems can be similar to symptoms of urological cancers.

This September, learn what to look out for and how you can help us support people affected by cancer. 

What is urological cancer?

Urological cancers are all the cancers that can affect the organs in the urinary system. These include:

 

The bladder in the bodyLabelled side view of the male reproductive system, showing the bladder, prostate gland, penis and testicles

 

What causes urological cancers?

Most of the time, we do not know why one person gets a urological cancer while someone else does not. Some things can increase a person’s risk of getting cancer. These are called risk factors.

There are some general risk factors for developing cancer, such as age, smoking and family history. And there are some that increase the risk of urological cancers. You can read more about the specific risk factors within each of the cancer type pages listed in the section above. 

 

Symptoms to look out for

 

Most urological problems, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), are not cancer. But sometimes the symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of urological cancers. If you notice any symptoms, it is important to get checked by your GP. These can include:

  • Blood in the urine (pee)  
  • Pain in the lower tummy or in one side of the lower back
  • Needing to pee more often than usual, especially at night
  • Difficulty peeing, for example pain or discomfort, a weak flow or having to strain to pass urine
  • Urgent need to pee
  • Feeling like your bladder is not empty after peeing
  • A lump in the testicle, groin or on the penis
  • A growth or sore (ulcer) or changes in skin on the penis, or discharge or bleeding from the penis

See also

 

Talking to your GP

 

Urological cancers can be easier to treat if they are diagnosed at an early stage. 

It can feel embarrassing to talk about these symptoms, but your GP and other healthcare professionals are used to talking about these problems. They would prefer you to use the words you are comfortable with rather than medical words so they can best help and advise you.

Steven's diagnosis

"In terms of early symptoms, to be honest, I could only put two and two together with the benefit of hindsight. I had been losing weight, but this was over a period of a year or so, I just put it down to an active lifestyle.


Nearer to the time of the first diagnosis, I had been getting pains in my lower abdomen when I did something slightly strenuous like taking the dogs for a walk, and I had been getting fatigued quicker than normal and noticed a change in my moods. Again, I put it down to stress at work, long hours, poor eating habits, and general tiredness."

Steven sits on a sofa reading a cancer information leaflet. A laptop is open on his lap.
Read Steven's full story

 

Steven sits on a sofa reading a cancer information leaflet. A laptop is open on his lap.

Where to get support

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Get help from one of our advisors
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Cancer and cost of living advice

Cancer can have a big impact on your finances and you may be worried about rises to energy bills and other costs of living.

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Online community

The Online Community is a place to chat to others who know what you or your loved one are going through. We have dedicated forums for:

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Further support

We can help you find support in your local area, so you can speak to people who understand what you or your loved are going through. 

 

Other charities can also offer more information and support. These include: 

 

How you can get involved

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Campaign with us
Join our campaigns to make a positive difference. Join over 25,000 people across the UK, who are campaigning for better support for people living with cancer.
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Fundraise
With tons of fundraising events and ideas, as well as supporting you every step of the way, join Team Macmillan to raise money for people affected by blood cancer.
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Share your story
If you've been affected by cancer, we want to hear about your experience. Your story can help us achieve change. Get involved in a variety of projects and events.
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Volunteer
Make a real difference in the lives of people affected by cancer. We have volunteering roles to suit you, wherever your skills lie and however much times you can give.
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